Pitch order at start-up competitions makes a difference
Research shows that in many types of sequential competitions, the order of competitors can have a significant effect on judges’ evaluations. In some music and sports competitions, for example, competitors who go last have an advantage, while in sales or persuasive argumentation, studies have shown that going first is advantageous.
What effect does competitor order have for start-up pitch contests? Three faculty members at two different universities studied the issue and report their findings in a Harvard Business Review article summarized here.
